Things to do at Disney outside the parks

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World

Kristin FordSentinel Staff Writer

Whether you're a local family without annual passes or tourists who have an extra day to spend in there area, there are plenty of ways to have fun on Walt Disney World property without going into the theme parks -- and without going broke.

-- Bring the kids' swimsuits and towels because there are two splash pads where kids can run free. Nearby bathrooms make changing easy.

-- Once Upon A Toy store invites kids to play with piles of Mr. Potato Head pieces and My Little Pony sets that include special Disney items.

-- A carousel and train ride (near the toy store) are always popular. Each costs $2 per ride; parents are free.

-- LEGO Imagination Center -- The store sells every kind of LEGO and has larger-than-life displays outside the store. There are tables of LEGOs for kids to play with, and a climber with a slide for ages 2 to 5.

-- World of Disney, the largest store of its kind, has a giant TV screen in the center showing Disney movies and music videos, cool displays and is home to the original Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where girls are transformed into their favorite princesses.

-- When it's time for lunch, two inexpensive (relatively speaking) favorites are McDonald's and Earl of Sandwich, where all items are $7 or less.

Miniature golf

Disney has 72 holes of miniature golf at two locations. Winter Summeland is adjacent to Blizzard Beach and has all the whimsical Imagineering you'd expect from Disney. One course is a snow theme, complete with an ice castle and even that jolly old elf descending a chimney on one hole. The other course is a summer theme that you'd imagine Santa plays during his down time in the warmer months. Squirting water keeps the golfers on their toes on both courses, and the greens can be fun for adults yet not too hard for the little golfers either.

Fantasia Miniature Golf is themed to the Disney classic and is located behind The Dolphin resort on Epcot Resorts Boulevard. The Gardens course is designed around the musical scenes from the animated movie and is recommended for beginners and families. The Fairways is a par-3 and par-4 course, complete with sand traps and water hazards, so putting is only part of the game.

Both locations charge $12.52 fro adults and $10.39 for children (ages 3-9) per round. Guests receive a WDW logo golf ball for each round played. Play a second round the same day and receive half off. Passholders receive half off all rounds.

Transportation

Adults see Disney's various transportation systems as a means to an end, but kids see them as adventures in themselves. So, if you find yourself with a little free time, take a quick ride.

The monorail is, of course, the most unusual. Start by parking at the Ticket & Transport ation Center. (Cost: $11 for cars.) Choose whether to cruise the loop around Seven Seas Lagoon and the luxury resorts -- including driving through the center of The Contemporary -- or a longer journey over to Epcot. For any monorail, you may wait in a special line to be seated in the front car with the driver. I recommend doing this at least once because the views are just so much better. Plus, kids receive special cards marking the event.

Large ferries also cross Seven Seas Lagoon from the Ticket & Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom. It's a slower ride, but equally enjoyable. Smaller boats, called water launches, travel between the resorts on the lake and the Magic Kingdom. The launches also connect Epcot and Hollywood Studios to the boardwalk-area resorts. In addition, boats travel from one end of Downtown Disney to the other and to Port Orleans, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resorts.

Finally, don't discount the parking-lot trams and buses that run throughout the property. Kids think both are pretty cool, too.

Fort Wilderness Campfire Sing-Along

The campfire singalong and outdoor movie at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is organized, yet laid back, and seeing a movie under the stars is as close to a drive-in movie theater as I've been since the '70s. In the summer, the evening kicks off at 7:30 with the lighting of two campfires, which burn throughout the evening for guests to roast marshmellows, cook hotdogs, or char whatever they choose. (The Chuckwagon sells supplies, but guests are welcome to bring their own food as well.)

At 8, the singalong begins with an entertainer leading the group. Kids of all ages joined in the Hokey-Pokey and the Chicken Dance. Chip 'n Dale worked the crowd, making sure everyone got autographs and photos. And then the Disney movie started at 8:40 p.m. (Movie schedules are posted around Fort Wilderness at the beginning of each month. A helpful visitor usually posts the list on Disboards.com as well.)

Seating includes large benches with backs and bleachers, and we saw some folks with blankets and lawnchairs. The evening drew many people, but it was not packed, and plenty of bleachers remained empty during the movie. Perhaps in the winter months, when the theme parks close earlier, it is more crowded. The campfire singalong is free and open to guests staying on Disney property.